MMO updates

MMO updates

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - Age of Wulin

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 06:11 AM PDT


Personally, this is "the" game to watch for me in ChinaJoy 2011. If you have read my pas posts about the game, you would have known why. An absent leveling system is not the main draw, but rather the abundance of features players can participate in and carve out their own legacy in the game. Without further a due, let's start the small presentation. Please note that all details are NOT confirmed .


The follow videos are apparently leaked, as stated by Snail Game in an official press release. I am not very sure if this is just a PR move, but it is indeed effective in getting all the media's attention. Let me summarize each video.


Training System - Players will gain training points in almost what ever they do, like exploring a place for the first time, mining for the 100th time (example) and even riding a horse. In the video, you can see players drawing and playing Chinese chess as well. These are all part of the Life Skills system, which including gathering, fortune-telling, crafting, fishing and more. There are currently 17 of such skills, and the most interesting system should be the beggar feature.


Life Skill: Beggar - Players will be able to obtain a life skill changing them into beggars. And no, I don't think you can just AFK by the roadside and wait for others to toss you money. Maybe I am wrong, but a town full of AFK beggars is... Well, in beggar form, other normal players will not know who you are. Beggars will then proceed to NPCs and plead with them for items/ gold (possibility to be turned away).

Beggars may also approach normal players and ask them for a donation. If a player does not want to donate, he may reject and hence the shoving action you see in the video. As the video quality is not really clear, I am unable to confirm if Beggars are able to sell normal players items directly. Apparently, the normal player opened 2 different packages after donating and there is a chance one of them is a fake with normal misc items. More info to come when available.


Miracle System - In the actual world of wulin, there are many legendary pugilists who are trained in different ultimate martial arts. In Age of Wulin, if you are lucky enough, you may have the chance to kick-start a chain of miracle quests and eventually meet them, gain some strong items or even learn one of the ultimate martial arts skill. However, this will not be easy as a player's affinity with various NPCs should be high before they will give you clues on how to proceed with the chain quests.


Guild System - This system in Age of Wulin is MASSIVE. As you can see from the trailer below, guilds are able to build their own territory, design their chambers and even have their own stage to hold internal PvP matches or invite outsiders for a tournament. These are still early days for the feature, but it is shaping up to be awesome.


Combat System - I don't think I need to explain much, but the jumping and gliding etc looks really like Blade & Soul's... *runs before getting stoned to death*


Below is a video showing how the action scenes in Age of Wulin is captured. I am lazy to translate, but I guess most people will have no troubles understanding by watching their actions.

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - Snail Game Part 2

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 01:05 AM PDT


This post is a continuation of Part 1 found here (link). In this post, we will be taking a short look at Snail Game's ChinaJoy booths, 1 especially for the attending public while the other for potential business partners to discuss possible deals. Snail Game is not just all about Age of Wulin, but the previously posted Black Gold Online (link) looks promising as well, along with a few browser MMOs. I am not so sure about The Penguin War (link) though... ...


And the booth below is for business deals to be discussed. Age of Wulin will be exporting to Europe under gPotato EU (English), Russia, Taiwan, Malaysia & Singapore (Chinese) when available. Will there be more English servers for the NA and SEA regions? Let's wait and see. If you are reading this, more information was just released for Age of Wulin. Stay tuned in a few hours' time!

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - The bosses arrive

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 09:42 PM PDT


This is just a casual post to kick-start ChinaJoy 2011's official opening. The photos were actually taken yesterday though, by the gaming journalism arm of Tencent Games. As you can see, the bosses are made to hold the QQ Penguin, the mascot for the Tencent QQ services. These are only some of the bigwigs in attendance by the way!

↑↑ The9 Interactive's Vice CEO, Mr Tony Park.

↑↑ Left: Giant Interactive's CEO, Right: Shanda Games CEO

↑↑ Blizzard Entertainment's Vice President.

↑↑ Left: Sohu ChangYou's CEO, Right: NetDragon's CEO.

↑↑ NetEase's CEO (seated). NetEase is the 2nd biggest gaming company in China after Tencent Games.

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - Warface

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:19 AM PDT


I am sure most of you would have heard of this game by now. If not, let me introduce it again. Warface is the first title developed by Crytek Korea (or Seoul) using the latest CryEngine 3 (same engine as Crysis 2). The game is custom made primarily for the Asian regions including China and of course, Korea as a Free to Play title. Tencent Games, the biggest online gaming provider in China, is the publisher for that region (link).


The latest trailer prepared for ChinaJoy 2011, titled "2013", basically tells the game's storyline. For the actual in-game footage (debut trailer), please visit the link found above.

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - Planet Legend Online

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:05 AM PDT


Planet Legend Online is actually not developed by a China company, but rather by a Taiwanese one. The game had been to various conventions in the past, including Tokyo Game Show and G*Star. This time round, the game is ready and the developer, International Games System, is ready to start looking for overseas publishing partners.


Planet Legend Online is a action 3D side-scroller MMO as you can see from the trailer above, but there is something quite different as well. Paying homage to Metal Slug, there is actually an option for ranged classes to face the "up" direction and attack. All the skills are colorful and full of impact as well, with the combat system giving players a definite adrenaline rush. Did you see Weapon X being used in the trailer as well?


While I know the game is focused on fun and combat, the facial expression of each character classes seems to be the same =.= More classes, modes and features are in development and IGS is currently scheduling a beta test period at the end of the year (subjected to change). This game does look promising to me, I hope there will be some social features though.

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - The Penguin War

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 02:06 AM PDT


Yes, I know you are as surprised as I am. But... bear with me. The Penguin War is a new online shooter with third person view (MMOTPS), developed by Snail Game from China. You may know Snail Game as the developer for Voyage Century and Age of Wulin as well. According to reports, players are not only able to play as Penguins, but also as various historical figures as well.


When answering a question about the lack of action when compared to a first person shooter, the official reply given was that the customizable skill matching system and random field items found in the game will cover this perception. The Penguin War will also be a fast-movement shooter. There is this feature where players will automatically lean against structures (for example staking out corners), but there isn't any visual given at the moment


In a market currently flooded with FPS, will this rather whimsical TPS game survive? More news when the game is officially revealed at ChinaJoy 2011.

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - Infinite Worlds Online

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 05:07 AM PDT


I introduced this online game a few months back (link), and it will be making an appearance at ChinaJoy 2011. Developed by China's Quyou Game, Infinite Worlds Online is a game where different worlds clashed with each other. There are currently 4 worlds and each world comes with its own character classes which you can see below: Swordsman, Trooper, Mecha and Sorcerer. In case you are wondering, there is a human inside the mecha and each class will have both genders provided.


In case you are wondering and too lazy to read my previous post, these 4 worlds are together in the same plane of existence. Hence, players may be of the Mecha class and invade ancient China where the Swordsman class start off and vice versa.


According to foreign reports, the game is being looked at by various established online gaming companies worldwide, including North America's Aeria Games. Will this game be brought to the English market? It will be interesting to see it happen!

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - Saint Seiya Online

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 08:44 AM PDT


At this rate, there won't be any news to cover when ChinaJoy 2011 begins on 27th July in a few days' time. Today, Perfect World officially announced Saint Seiya Online by opening the game's teaser website and revealing their partnership with Japan's SEGA. The franchise is currently celebrating its 25th year and the MMO is licensed for both China and Taiwan only. Below is a picture of Masami Kurumada, the series' creator.


Other than the logo being revealed, there is a timetable on which a series of ChinaJoy events for Saint Seiya Online will go on starting from 29th July. There is no mention of a playable demo available... More news to come when available!

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - Red 5 Studios

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 02:11 AM PDT


This should appear to be a surprise to some, seeing that Red 5 Studios' majority shareholder is China's The9 Interactive. Despite that, Red 5 has decided to enter ChinaJoy 2011 on its own, showcasing the company's maiden MMO title, Firefall. Below, you can see the amazing booth setup at the gaming convention.


It is also mentioned that a statute based on one of Firefall's character will be made as well for the convention. The status costs a whopping USD 1 million and is crafted by the guys who made the Queen of Blades statue from StarCraft. I can't wait to see the full thing being displayed.

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - Perfect World

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 02:20 AM PDT


This is my very first post for ChinaJoy 2011, and I will like to kick things off with one of my favorite online gaming companies, Perfect World. As usual, Perfect World will be bringing almost all its present games to the show, with most predicted to get a massive content update announcement. The new title will include Swordsman Online, perhaps the date for official Closed beta will start.


However, that is not the main star of the show. Saint Seiya Online, which Perfect World announced a few weeks back, is slated to debut as well. The game was already in development for a couple of years, hence it should come as no surprise. I understand there is an unofficial Saint Seiya Online in China right now, but it seems nothing is done to the company behind it. The official Chinese blog for Saint Seiya Online is now... online as well.


What is a public gaming trade show/ convention with out the showgirls? Each year, individual companies will hire the hottest and most popular young models to parade around their booths to draw in the male crowds. Perfect World will be doing so as well, and here are some of them (out of around 30 I think)! More news to follow (if there is anything new) after ChinaJoy 2011 kicks off!

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - Black Gold Online

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 12:51 AM PDT


Snail Game, one of the emerging online games developer from China, is not just resting its laurels on the upcoming release of Age of Wulin worldwide. Introducing Black Gold Online, one of the most mysterious title for ChinaJoy 2011 but looking as one of the most promising China-developed title so far. In fact, the game is actually co-developed by Russia studio, Mental Games as well. A steampunk world filled with magic as well, let me give you a brief look at the game's storyline.


In a world full of mysteries and adventures, merging technology with magic, there exist this mineral called Black Gold. Fights broke out over the control of Black Gold, as it provides energy for both the technology and magic users. Furthermore, when Black Gold is tempered by both techniques at the same time, a mysterious energy called "Black Steam" emerges. For the technology (or steampunk) side, it is used to power the various robots.


The land is further divided into 2 continents, where sunlight shone on the East (magic users) while the West (technology users) is covered in darkness. There were internal conflicts with regards to Black Gold, but eventually races from each individual sides (West and East) combined forces and went on to wage war with each other.


Here comes the confusing part. Listed on the website are 5 charactors (characters I think) and  I am not sure if they are the classes or races. According to the lore, there should be a Dwarf race as well, but a short figure could not be seen even in the silhouettes. 2 are revealed so far, with them being the Gunslinger and Bear Shaman. And where are the robots?!


According to various online websites, other features include the customizable robot seen in the screenshot above, mobile mechanical fortresses (what?!), skill customization, multiplayer mounts and rides and even a DOTA mode for the the game. More official news should be released at ChinaJoy 2011, so stay tuned!

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - Shanda Games

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 02:03 AM PDT


Now on to Shanda Games. The company actually has a special name for their showcase at ChinaJoy 2011, which is called Game Allstar. Well, this name had been used by a Korean company as far as I am concerned, so there is nothing spectacular about it. As you can see in the logo above, there is a big "69". Apparently the marketing team is not accustomed to English jokes about the number.


"6" actually stands for the number of new events and partnerships, shows and media etc which will be officially introduced. "9" stands for the number of games which are going to be showcased, with a number still being a secret so far. The only 2 major online games announced so far for the show are Final Fantasy XIV Online China and Dragon Ball Online China while the others include Legend of Immortal, Dragon Nest China, Sudden Attack China and more. Dragon Nest China recently celebrated its 1st anniversary as well.


Do note that the 9 games should include some social games as well. For Final Fantasy XIV Online China, it looks like Shanda Games will be hiring one of the top Asian singers to perform the theme song which will "beat" Faye Wong's Eyes on Me, one of the most popular game songs in history.


For the industry, many are guessing what titles will Shanda Games be revealing. The apparent biggest announcement will be TERA China, which many have claimed to be spot on. There are a number of self-developed titles as well, but I will only be posting individual posts on those which are deem worthy. I am guessing Shanda Games will reveal TERA China as well, looking at how its rival Tencent Games apparently got all the big titles for 2011 and 2012.

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - Tencent Games

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 02:53 AM PDT


Time to take on the biggest online gaming company in China... Perhaps even the world. Tencent Games host many carnivals and events on its own, including a competitive league for almost all its games, but will still be part of ChinaJoy 2011 as well. This year, the company is slated to have demos ready for various of their previously announced titles. To add on, the whole event will be hosted by the Happy Family, the most popular hosting team in China now. You can see their cartoon version below.


News trickled in recently with regards to Blade & Soul China getting a playable demo at ChinaJoy 2011. This will be sort of a surprise to me, as I didn't see the game being translated until later this year. One of the most anticipated titles in China, if not the most, the Chinese forums are flooding with threads and comments from the public about visiting the convention just to try the game out.


ArcheAge China will be making an appearance as well, but there is no news of it being playable. The game debuted a few months ago with much fanfare as well. If there is a playable demo available, I wonder what will all the other booths do with almost every gamers stalking out Tencent Games' demo stations.


The biggest of the "minor" titles will be ASURA, a Diablo-styled MMO but with Journey to the West's settings. Well, not all of it, but it is loosely based on the classic novel. Below is one of the official trailers revealed so far, so have a look!


There are various other hit titles as well, including Continent of the Ninth (C9) China, War of Zombies (online shooter), Webzen's BATTERY (online shooter), League of Legends China and more. Tencent Games will no doubt have the games all players are looking forward to. Well, that's the reason why they are China's biggest online gaming company.

[ChinaJoy 2011] Preview - Snail Game Part 1

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 12:51 AM PDT


Snail Game Suzhou, a rather "new" player in the English MMO industry, will be participating in ChinaJoy 2011 as well. First and foremost, the company's main highlight will no doubt be Age of Wulin China (or 9yin Online). The recent incident where Closed Beta keys are going to be sold caused much displeasure, but in the first day of sales over at a partner website, all 10,000 keys were sold out. No doubt some will be buying and reselling it for a high price, but it is still an incredible feat.


Now, the new games which Snail Game is preparing to debut. The second most important title will be Black Gold (directly translated), a MMORPG with a futuristic steampunk setting. Well, not totally steampunk, but there will be elements of it. More to come later when I dedicate a single post on this title. Update: You can find the post on Black Gold Online here (link).


The following games are not really much to look out for, and one even took my by surprise... in a weird way. The Penguin War, what the heck?! The other games will be a casual MMO and a web-game based on Voyage Century Online. And sorry, no showgirls gallery revealed so far.
Posted by Shri Krishna
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